Casper Ruud, the three-time Grand Slam finalist and former world No. 2, has added a new milestone to his life: fatherhood. The Norwegian tennis star and his wife, Maria Galligani, welcomed their first child, a daughter, on January 30. Ruud described the experience as the "best feeling ever," sharing the joyous news on social media on Sunday.
The announcement comes shortly after Ruud’s deep run at the Australian Open, where he reached the fourth round before falling to Ben Shelton. During the tournament, he kept his phone close at all times, prepared for news from home. He publicly thanked Maria for her support, noting how her encouragement allowed him to compete while anticipating the birth.
Despite the new responsibilities of fatherhood, Ruud remains focused on his professional schedule. He is set to lead Norway in the Davis Cup Qualifiers against Great Britain this weekend at Nadderud Arena. Following the tie, Ruud will travel to the United States for the Dallas Open, beginning February 9. The Davis Cup tie will also see Great Britain’s Jack Draper make his 2026 debut after recovering from injury.
As Ruud embraces fatherhood, fans and pundits alike are eager to see how this new chapter influences his game and whether the added personal joy translates to fresh energy on court.
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